The daily life of a cold and aloof general raising his wife

After listening to Jiang Shuwan's words, Madam Pei paused for a moment, then looked at her lovingly, "I know that you are different in his heart. Huai'an is a cold-faced but warm-hearted child. He wasn't like this when he was little. He was such a lively and cheerful child. After his father passed away, I took him and fled everywhere. Many times I couldn't hold on anymore and thought about leaving with his father. It was him. He was like a little adult all the way. Even though he was still a child himself, he always thought of taking care of me. That's how my son and I fled to Qingshan Town."

Wherever we, a widow and her child, went, we were met with strange looks and gossip. Then we met Youwei's father. When I first met him, he was thin and weak. He was clearly starving himself, but he would always secretly give food to Huai'an and me. Later, I saw that he had no bad intentions, and we gradually became acquainted.

Many years passed like this. Although life was poor, I lived a peaceful life, without the constant anxiety I used to have.

Although the days she spent with Xie Jingshan were poor, they were also the most fulfilling days she had ever lived.

Pei's father favored his concubine over his wife, treating his illegitimate daughter better than her, the legitimate daughter. She and her mother lived in constant fear in Pei's household. Later, she married Xie Xuan, who treated her very well. He would do everything he could to get her anything she wanted. However, he was a military general, and she was always worried about him when he went on long journeys. In addition, there was her father, who always tried to get benefits from Xie Xuan.

Jiang Shuwan knew that Xie Huai'an had a difficult childhood, but after hearing what Pei Shi said, she still subconsciously felt sorry for him.

She took Pei's hand and said, "Mother, there's something else you don't know about Huai'an who has been with me all this time."

Madam Pei looked at her, "What is it?"

"The reason why Father expressed his feelings to you was because Huai'an had talked to him about it."

This is what Xie Huai'an told Jiang Shuwan himself.

If it weren't for Xie Huai'an, Xie Jingshan probably would have kept quiet for ten or twenty years, because he knew that Pei Shi cared most about Xie Huai'an. But twelve-year-old Xie Huai'an stopped him and told him that if he really liked Pei Shi, he should marry her and treat her well, otherwise he would never let him go.

Pei felt a lump in her throat; she was unaware of this.

"Mother, I'm telling you this not so that you'll feel guilty, but so that you'll know that in Huai'an's heart, you are the most important person to him. He wants you to be happy. In his heart, Father is a trustworthy person, and he wholeheartedly approves of Father."

Jiang Shuwan knew that Xie Huai'an was not a good talker, and there were some things she wouldn't say, and Xie Huai'an would probably never say them.

Pei nodded with tears in her eyes, "I know, I know."

Xie Huai'an was her first child, born with great anticipation. She named him Huai'an in the hope that he would live a peaceful and safe life.

"Mother, life seems long, but if you think about it carefully, the time a family spends together is not much."

Pei wiped away her tears, "I've lived for decades and I'm still not as insightful as you."

Jiang Shuwan smiled faintly and said, "It's because you're worried that you're confused."

Pei felt much better after resolving her inner conflict.

After seeing Pei off, Jiang Shuwan continued to look at the account books in her room. A little while later, Ziyan returned from outside.

Ziyan bowed and said, "Madam."

Jiang Shuwan put down the ledger and looked at her, "What's wrong?"

"There's all the talk outside about what happened at the General's Mansion."

"Where are the Xie family members?"

“They are spreading rumors outside, and our people tried to stop them, but they were all stopped by the people from the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion.”

Ziyan then hurriedly returned to report to Jiang Shuwan.

Jiang Shuwan said calmly, "Understood. Keep an eye on them."

"Yes."

Ziyan bowed and left.

Feiyun said angrily, "What is the Duke of Dingguo's mansion trying to do?"

Jiang Shuwan shook her head. "I don't know either."

Although Jiang Shuwan did not know what the Duke of Dingguo wanted, she knew that he was an enemy, not a friend.

Although the Gao family, the Duke of Dingguo, was not the maternal family of Emperor Mingde, the Gao family women had supported Emperor Mingde when they were concubines in the palace. The Gao family had also contributed to Emperor Mingde's ascension to the throne. After Emperor Mingde ascended the throne, he granted the Gao family the title of Duke. Because of their relationship with Emperor Mingde, the Gao family always looked down on others in the court.

**

Huian Earl's Mansion

"girl."

Caihuan rushed in from outside.

Seeing her flustered appearance, Lin Ruoqing couldn't help but scold her, "Caihuan, have you forgotten what I told you! You are my personal maid, and you represent me. You must always remember your status and be composed!"

Caihuan was so frightened that she composed herself and lowered her head. "Yes, this servant understands."

Seeing her timid and hesitant manner, Lin Ruoqing felt a surge of annoyance. "Alright, what's the matter that you rushed over here in such a hurry?"

Caihuan reported in a low voice, "It's about General Xie's residence."

Upon hearing the words "General Xie's Mansion," Lin Ruoqing's expression darkened further.

"what's up."

"There are rumors circulating outside that General Xie is not his father's biological son, and that General Xie's mother was unfaithful..."

Caihuan told Lin Ruoqing everything she had heard outside.

Lin Ruoqing's smile deepened as she heard this.

Caihuan was startled by the expression on her master's face; she found her master's temper increasingly unpredictable.

After listening, Lin Ruoqing smiled and said, "Go and continue to investigate."

"Yes."

After bowing, Caihuan left.

Lin Ruoqing sat in the room with a smile on her face, "Jiang Shuwan, so what if you have a good family background? You married a commoner general with no connections, and today such a scandal has been exposed. Let's see how you manage to get overwhelmed this time."

Lin Ruoqing guessed that Jiang Shuwan must be extremely anxious at the General's Mansion at this moment.

But she was wrong; Jiang Shuwan was burning incense and sipping tea at that moment.

Jiang Shuwan was not in a hurry. She was waiting for the Duke of Dingguo's next move. If it was just some rumors, she would not care. Besides, apart from the last time at the Marquis of Xuanping's residence, she had not had any conflict with the Duke of Dingguo's residence. The Duke of Dingguo's residence actually sent people to keep an eye on the General's residence. If it weren't for that, the Xie family would not have been taken away as soon as they left the General's residence.

The Grand Princess had taught Jiang Shuwan since she was a child not to panic in the face of trouble, so she was sitting quietly thinking about these things.

***

After hearing about these things, Jiang Shurou went to the Dongping Marquis's residence.

Have you heard about what happened to my elder sister, Mother?

Madam Gu nodded nonchalantly and said, "I've heard some of it."

Jiang Shurou hesitated for a moment and then said, "Mother, why don't we go to the General's Mansion to see my sister?"

Madam Gu said unhappily, "She has already severed ties with us, why should we go see her?"

"Mother, think about what happened to my sister. If we go and visit her, wouldn't that be a good way to ease the tension between our two families?"

Jiang Shurou still didn't want to sever ties with Jiang Shuwan so cleanly. She knew that the Dongping Marquis's mansion relied on Emperor Mingde, and the Gu family's foundation was too shallow. In addition, both families didn't have many people. If Gu Shuchen wanted to develop better, he couldn't offend his grandmother. Besides, Xie Huai'an was highly skilled in martial arts and held a high position. Having such a person as his brother-in-law would make things easier for Gu Shuchen in the court.